Sensex tanks 490 pts to 3-week low on exit polls forecast

Markets on Monday slumped for the seventh straight day, its longest losing streak in 15 months, with Sensex losing over 490 points to end at about three-week low on exit polls showing that the BJP may not be able to form government in Delhi.

Markets on Monday slumped for the seventh straight day, its longest losing streak in 15 months, with Sensex losing over 490 points to end at about three-week low on exit polls showing that the BJP may not be able to form government in Delhi.

Besides, the rupee depreciated against the dollar to over three-week low of 62.20 (intra-day) on sustained capital outflows which dampened market sentiments.

The BSE Sensex, after opening lower at 28,566.50, continued to slide on selling pressure in bluechip companies, forcing the Sensex to touch a low of 28,183.32 before settling lower by 490.52, or 1.71%, to close at 28,227.39.

However, Dr Reddy, Bajaj Auto, Sun Pharma, ONGC, Wipro and Infosys were among the Sensex gainers.

The 50-share NSE Nifty dipped below the psychological 8,600-mark by tumbling 134.70 points, or 1.56%, to close at 8,526.35.

Foreign funds continued to remain net sellers on domestic bourses which weighed on the sentiment and added to selling, equity brokers said. Disappointing corporate earnings and caution ahead of GDP data for December quarter also cast shadow on the trading sentiments, they said.

Meanwhile, FPIs sold shares worth Rs 96.45 crore on last Friday, as per the provisional data. Among others, Tata Power fell by 2.44% and Reliance Power closed 5.59% lower on fresh round of selling pressure on fears that the new government in Delhi may again lower power tariffs. Mixed trend at other Asian markets and a weak opening at European markets also weighed on sentiments here.